Liberals Win a Majority in Ontario — Who Will be Ag Minister?

Lyndsey Smith

Lyndsey Smith is a field editor for RealAgriculture. A self-proclaimed agnerd, Lyndsey is passionate about all things farming but is especially thrilled by agronomy and livestock production.

June 13, 2014June 13, 2014

Ontarians are waking up to a rather red province, as Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals won 59 ridings on their way to a majority mandate.

Those taking a closer look at the map, though, will notice that swath of crimson is largely in one area: Toronto. This concentration of Liberal MPPs is not unexpected of course (though the majority mandate did take more than a few pundits by surprise), but it does beg the question — if Premier Wynne isn’t going to remain on as ag minister, who will she name to the role?

Most rural counties elected Progressive Conservative MPPs, leaving the choices limited. When Wynne announced she would pick up the agriculture portfolio, she alluded to it being a short term role. In her time as ag minister, many in agriculture have felt she didn’t give the sector the time or attention it deserved, when balanced with her duties as premier.

What do you think? Will Wynne stay on as ag minister? If not, who should take her place?

Trending

Dairy, egg, and poultry farmers will be compensated in this year's budget just revealed by Finance Minister, Bill Morneau. The compensation is for losses stemming from international trade agreements. The Liberal government has proposed up to $3.9 billion in "support" for supply-managed farmers. The funding follows the recent ratifications of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade…Read more »